6 Weeks

Well, sadly 6 weeks does not equal 6 straight hours of sleep, at least for our house.  But it does equal a much more alert Frankie who is starting to be a tad interactive!  Twice this week I got a big smile out of the little guy when he saw my face...and I'm quite certain those smiles were genuine and not 'gassy smiles'!  He's starting to 'talk' this week, too!  He enjoys being in his swing and looking at the lights in the living room and coo-ing.  He's starting to focus on the sheep in his mobile, too!  And this morning while sitting in his bouncy seat, it seemed as though he was focusing on his reflection in the mirror above.  Another HUGE milestone this week:  Frankie rolled over from his tummy to his back!  Totally by accident of course, but during tummy time, he was kicking his legs so much that he rolled himself over.  Of course I tried to do everything I could to get him to do it again so I could capture it on video, but that wasn't going to happen! 

This week we've also encountered a few challenges:  1.  Despite taking his first bottle extremely well, Frankie has since decided that he's not a fan of the bottle.  He'll drink about one ounce and then cry and protest until he's breastfed.  We're heading to our Breastfeeding Support Group tomorrow to get some tips on how to get the little guy to drink from his bottle.  2.  Frankie hasn't been sleeping very well the past few nights, either.  He hasn't been sleeping for long stretches at night (even 2 hours would be a blessing!) and I've had some trouble getting him to nap.  I've read that at 6 weeks when babies become more alert of their surroundings, they tend to be more fussy but it should calm down after a week or two, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

Frankie also had his first sleep-over this week - On Saturday we traveled to Aunt Laura & Uncle Jon's for 'Fakesgiving' and spent the night.  He actually did very well for spending his first night in unfamiliar surroundings.  And Mommy discovered it's quite challenging traveling solo with an infant!  (Daddy had a soccer tournament so Mommy & Frankie drove out in the morning and he met us later on.) 

This week I finally packed up Frankie's newborn clothes, something I admittedly should have done at least one week ago, but I was in denial that my little guy had outgrown them!  He's officially moved on to 0-3 months!  He's also on to size 1 diapers - Our little guy is growing up!

I have video of Frankie 'talking' but it's while he's in his swing and it really makes you dizzy watching it!  I'll try to get a better video to post, but for now, here are some pictures of the big guy:

Mommy's little stinker! His first jeans!

More tummy time!

Frankie met Santa!

5 Weeks

5 weeks = 5 hours sleep! For the past two nights, Frankie has had 5 hour stretches of sleep! Yes! Yes! Yes! However, those stretches have been in his Pack 'n Play bassinet which is set up in the living room...which means Mommy has been sleeping on the couch...but hey, no complaining here...I'll take 5 hours wherever I can get it! :)

I've noticed that Frankie is starting to develop somewhat of his own routine...mid morning he'll be awake and we get in some play time and he's also usually awake around 5-6pm. However, in the evenings he fights going back to sleep which results in over-stimulation and means the little guy can get very fussy!

Poor Frankie lost most of his hair on top of his head within the past week but he still has a descent amount around the sides and back of his head. I still can't get over how fast he's growing - He's getting little chubby cheeks and is starting to develop chunky legs. I think the chubby cheeks make him look a bit more like Mommy; Otherwise this kid is a spitting image of his Daddy.

We had another big first this week...Daddy gave Frankie his first bottle on Friday, 11/11! The little guy got the hang of it pretty quick - Here's a video of him in action...check out how he's holding the bottle! :)

Watching soccer with Daddy - In his authentic Fulham 'kit'

"Goooooal"

"No pictures please!"

"Ooops - Did you hear that?" 

Definitely our Big Guy - Check out that roll under his chin! (No offense, Frankie!)

Lazy morning in bed with Daddy

First bottle!

1 Month!

My intention was (and still is) to keep the blog going so our family (and friends) can keep up with the exciting happenings of Frankie's life...and so Frank & I can use it as a 'memory book' to look back on - I've just fallen a bit behind this first month! Hopefully I'll be better going forward!

First, how in the world did our little boy become 1 month old already?!? It seems just like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Frankie had his 1 month check-up yesterday where he weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 1 oz! Remember, he was only 6 lbs 7 oz when he was born and then we had the scare in the hospital because he'd dropped more than 10% of his body weight, only weighing 5 lbs 11 oz when we brought him home...After supplementing with formula for the first few days and after several weight checks at the doctor's office that first week, we were assured his weight gain was on the right track. He was up to 6 lbs 11 oz at his two week check and now put on more than 2 lbs in 2 weeks! Phew!

During the past few weeks, we've started introducing Frankie to tummy time which he enjoys and is showing pretty good head control. During playtime, we also use an Old MacDonald finger puppet book which I think he likes (minus Mommy's singing) - and he's started to focus on the rattle and follow the sound with his eyes. Next week, we'll start him practicing his soccer moves...Kidding!

Some highlights from Frankie's first month:

- Lost his umbilical cord on 10/22
- First solo trip with Mommy (to Harris Teeter) on 10/25
- First real bath on 10/29
- First party on 10/29 (Oktoberfest at the Diviney's)
- First pacifier 11/6

This first month has been amazing - Frank & I are truly loving parenthood and could sit and watch our little guy all day! I can't wait for him to really smile and laugh for us - but for right now I'm content on the involuntary smiles and laughs I get...they just melt my heart!

Coming home for the hospital...look how tiny he was!



Flexing his muscles with Daddy!



Our little Libra...look how his face has started to round out:



Frankie's not much a fan of being naked...which means diaper changes, getting dressed and baths = crying


His Halloween lambie costume:


Since day 1, he's been a fan of sucking his thumb:


His first pair of overalls!